'Thank you very much,' replied Allan, while all the boys looked gratified; 'it would be no end jolly, and we'll come if Father will let us. I'm sure he will. May we bring our friends too, Harry and Gerald Graham?'
'To be sure, sir,' replied Jim; 'we'll be glad to see the young gentlemen. Are you fond of the sea, sir?' he inquired, turning to Harry.
Yes,' replied Harry, 'and I'm going into the navy.'
'That's good,' said Jim. 'Perhaps I'll see you as a midshipman next time we meet.'
'Perhaps,' said Harry; 'and I hope I'll be a captain before very long.'
'I hope you will be an admiral some day, sir, I'm sure,' answered Jim gravely.
'Thank you,' said Harry; 'yes, I daresay I shall be.'
Allan turned his head away, and a smile gleamed out for an instant upon Marjorie's face. Harry saw it and did not feel pleased, and he remarked to Gerald afterwards that he was afraid Marjorie thought a great deal too much of herself.
'And what are you going to be, air?' inquired another of the men, turning to Gerald, who was sitting by with a thoughtful face.
'I'm going into the army, I think,' answered Gerald; 'but I don't know if I can pass the exams. They're very difficult, but I'm going to try.'